Fortify Security with ThreatNG Positive Indicators

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, a proactive approach is essential. Responding to threats alone is no longer adequate; security professionals must predict and prevent them. A critical element of this proactive strategy is the concept of Positive Security Indicators (PSIs)—signals and metrics that reflect a healthy, robust, and effective security posture. ThreatNG's Positive Security Indicators capability equips security professionals with a comprehensive and balanced view of an organization's security, enabling them to strengthen defenses and effectively mitigate risk.

A Comprehensive View of Security Posture

Traditional security assessments often focus primarily on identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses. While this is essential, it provides an incomplete picture. ThreatNG delivers a balanced evaluation by highlighting vulnerabilities and an organization's security strengths through PSIs. This approach enables a more accurate representation of the external attack surface, providing security professionals with a clear understanding of what an attacker sees and how effectively security controls function.

ThreatNG's external discovery process lays the groundwork for this comprehensive overview. ThreatNG identifies an organization's digital footprint by conducting external, unauthenticated discovery, pinpointing all externally facing assets. This process is essential for recognizing potential entry points and comprehending the organization's reconnaissance footprint – the information an attacker can gather during the initial stages of an attack.

ThreatNG's external assessment modules then contribute to identifying specific Persistent Security Issues (PSIs). For example, the "Web Application Hijack Susceptibility" assessment analyzes web application security controls. A finding that a web application has a properly configured Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a Positive Security Indicator, demonstrating a strong defense against web application attacks. Similarly, assessments related to "BEC & Phishing Susceptibility" validate the effectiveness of email security controls, such as SPF, DMARC, and DKIM, which are also considered PSIs.

Proactive Security and Risk Reduction Efficacy

PSIs are fundamentally connected to proactive security measures. By verifying the existence and effectiveness of security controls, ThreatNG helps organizations ensure that their defenses operate as intended, thereby minimizing the likelihood and potential impact of security incidents.

Furthermore, ThreatNG's identification of PSIs allows security professionals to assess and enhance the effectiveness of risk reduction strategies. For example, if ThreatNG identifies the adoption of multi-factor authentication (MFA) within an organization's systems, this PSI considerably minimizes the risk of unauthorized access.

PSIs also play a crucial role in validating security controls. By confirming that these controls are functioning as intended, PSIs ensure that an organization's security investments are practical and efficient. Additionally, PSIs contribute to efforts in security hardening by identifying correctly configured systems and security measures, which validates the success of hardening practices.

Observable Security Characteristics and In-Band Indicators

PSIs are closely linked to observable security characteristics. ThreatNG identifies and emphasizes these characteristics, providing valuable insights into an organization's security posture. For instance, strong encryption methods are an observable security characteristic and a Positive Security Indicator.

In some cases, PSIs can even be regarded as in-band indicators. For instance, adequately configured security headers in web applications serve as both in-band indicators of secure configurations and PSIs, indicating sufficient application security controls.

Unlocking Proactive Security: ThreatNG's PSI-Driven Approach for Security Professionals

ThreatNG's Positive Security Indicators capability provides security professionals with a powerful solution to enhance their security posture. ThreatNG empowers security teams to move beyond merely reacting to threats and establish a robust, resilient security foundation by providing a comprehensive view of security, validating proactive measures, and facilitating risk reduction.